Harry Crews last appeared in Atlanta twenty years ago at “An International Celebration of Southern Literature” at Agnes Scott College, and whaddya know, Charles McNair did the honors of introducing him as “Flannery O’Connor hepped up on testosterone.” Ted Geltner‘s BLOOD, BONE, AND MARROW includes mention of this (and another) Agnes Scott visit, which took place a year after Harry Crews’ world was shattered by the loss of his mother, Myrtice, who he greatly idolized.
“CREWS CONTROL: At this weekend’s “An International Celebration of Southern Literature” at Agnes Scott College, Atlanta writer Charles McNair introduced Harry Crews as “Flannery O’Connor hepped up on testosterone.” Crews, a South Georgia native and author of violent gothic works such as “The Gypsy’s Curse” and “Scar Lover,” lived up to his mucho macho reputation by reading a passage from an upcoming novel in which a bikini-clad young woman named Too Much seduces an 80-year-old ex- lumberjack. “I wanna thank the folks at Agnes Scott for having me back,” said Crews, 61. “Anytime I go back a second time to a place, I feel really good.” — Richard Eldredge (Peach Buzz, AJC; June 10, 1996)”
